ALAMEDA<\/p>\n
Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Alameda, who chairs the California Assembly Health Committee, released the statement below in response to OpenAI introducing ChatGPT Health, an AI system designed to combine the services of ChatGPT with an individual\u2019s personal medical records and wellness data.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy asking its millions of users to upload their personal medical records to its new ChatGPT Health, OpenAI is opening itself to the highest possible scrutiny regarding data privacy,\u201d Bonta said. \u201cWith Trump and federal Republicans repeatedly taking steps that have made health care more expensive, consumers are turning more and more to resources like AI to seek care they might not otherwise access.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to take real steps to address the real consumer privacy concerns here, which are compounded by the daily cybersecurity threats (that) both the health and artificial intelligence agencies face as well as the cost pressures driving people away from the doctor\u2019s office and onto AI interfaces.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud that my bill AB 489, which went into effect at the beginning of this year, will ensure no AI system or chatbot can pretend to hold a medical license, and I am committed to continuing the conversation on the intersection of AI and health care in the legislature.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bonta\u2019s AB 489 went into effect on Jan. 1 to ensure state health profession boards and law enforcement agencies have the authority to enforce title protections when AI systems or similar technologies, such as internet-based chatbots, misrepresent themselves as nurses, doctors, psychologists or other health professionals. The bipartisan bill was among the most prominent new laws going into effect this year.<\/p>\n
Assemblymember Bonta and her husband, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, live in Alameda with their children. For more information, visit a18.asmdc.org\/biography<\/a> online.<\/p>\n \u2014 Assemblymember Bonta\u2019s office<\/p>\n Immanuel Lutheran Church to host Mardi Gras concert<\/p>\n Chelle! & Friends will perform New Orleans favorites: creole, gospel, jazz and soul music in the spirit of Mardi Gras starting at 4 p.m. Feb. 1 in Immanuel Lutheran Church of Alameda.<\/p>\n Michelle Jacques is the artistic director of the New Orleans band Chelle! & Friends, whose music is steeped in the cadences of gospel and animated by the earthy grooves of R&B and the Caribbean. Join the fun, sing along and let the good times roll!<\/p>\n This benefit concert is one of a series that the church has planned to fundraise for continued rehabilitation of the 135 year-old church building and to raise awareness of this historic Alameda gem. For more information or to buy tickets, visit immanuel-alameda.org\/church-event<\/a> online.<\/p>\n The church is at at 1420 Lafayette St. in Alameda. Tickets may also be available for purchase at the door on Feb. 1 if they haven\u2019t sold out online. Free parking will be at the southwest corner of Santa Clara Avenue and Chestnut Street. Call 510-523-0659 with any questions.<\/p>\n \u2014 Immanuel Lutheran Church of Alameda<\/p>\n Apply by Feb. 28 for $6K Van Sickle college scholarship<\/p>\n Applications are now open for the $6,000 Ken and Shirley Van Sickle Scholarship. This college scholarship is open to graduating seniors from the city\u2019s public high schools who live in Alameda. Selection is based on a combination of academic achievement, leadership ability and financial need.<\/p>\n The scholarship is named in honor of Ken and Shirley Van Sickle, two distinguished educators who devoted many years to the education of Alameda\u2019s students. Now in its 39th year, the scholarship was established by their son, Keith, an Alameda High School alumnus who later earned degrees at Stanford and Harvard.<\/p>\n Last year, the scholarship was awarded to Natalie Sun of the Alameda Community Learning Center, who is now a freshman at UC Davis. The deadline for applications is Feb. 28, and the link to the scholarship application can be found in each high school\u2019s counseling office.<\/p>\n \u2014 Keith Van Sickle<\/p>\n Kiwanis foundation\u2019s fundraiser set for Jan. 31 at O\u2019 Club<\/p>\n Kiwanis Club of Alameda (KCA) members are excited to invite the public to their foundation fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Albert H. DeWitt Officers Club (\u201cthe O\u2019 Club\u201d) on Alameda Point.<\/p>\n Preparations are advancing for this fun evening supporting the Alameda community! The event will feature a full barbecue dinner (meat and sides with a vegetarian option); a music trivia competition among tables of participants; a Bingo contest for gift card prizes; the KCA\u2019s famous silent auction for donated merchandise baskets and merchant gift vouchers; a raffle, live auction and dinner music.<\/p>\n The club\u2019s goal every year is to raise more than $20,000, which will entirely be awarded to Alameda nonprofit groups benefiting children, teens and families. Bring a friend, colleague or your family for a great evening packed with surprises!<\/p>\n The O\u2019 Club is at 641 W. Redline Ave. in Alameda. For more information, to get tickets, to buy sponsorships at varying levels or to learn more about the KCA, visit k01025.site.kiwanis.org\/2026-fundraiser<\/a> online.<\/p>\n \u2014 KCA<\/p>\n